AUBURN, NY—April 29 2003—Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from Grace E. Metz Middle School in Manassas, VA, a berth as finalists in the Christopher Columbus Awards, a nationwide program that challenges middle-school students to explore opportunities for positive change in their communities. The team had made it to the semifinals earlier this month and now is one of ten teams in the country to compete.

Nearly 35,000 children are rushed to hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of bathtub scald burns, inflicted by children turning the hot water on while parents are either not looking or out of the room, according to safekid.org, a national child safety organization. Water at above 130 degrees F can scald a young child in just 30 seconds, causing third-degree burns.

These statistics were alarming to the team of 8^th graders—Stephanie Apple, Elizabeth Price, Katelyn Crouse, and Shannon Hinton, and their science teacher, Carrie Reardon, and prompted them to take action. After researching plumbing supplies and water temperature statistics, the team devised a PVC pipe that connects from the faucet to the drain, preventing hot water from reaching a child once the bath is drawn. They think their idea could catch on among parents and even plan to make designer colors of the contraption.

"These scald burns are happening needlessly," the team said. "Obviously, parental supervision is the best prevention, but this device provides an added measure of safety to ensure against burns."

A panel of community leaders, scientists and experts in science education judged their idea as one of the top 10 entries in the U.S. Nearly 2,000 students participated nationwide.